US-Sanctioned Venezuelan Vice President Accused of Money Laundering in Panama

Aissami could have attacked or manipulated the country’s security networks, breaking various terrorism laws (Flickr)

EspañolPanama officials are looking into opening an investigation against Venezuela Vice President Tareck El Aissami, who they think may have been involved in money laundering schemes in the country.

Panama’s former Ambassador to the Organization of American States Guillermo Cochez made the initial request to investigateEl Aissami, who has already been sanctioned by the United States for similar crimes.

Cochez’s request to the Attorney General’s Office in Panama claimed that both El Aissami and his alleged frontman Samark López Bello be investigated following those US sanctions, which he said “proves” illegal funds passed through Panama.

He claimed that Aissami could have attacked or manipulated the country’s security networks, breaking various terrorism laws.

“They may be using the Panamanian corporate and financial system to launder assets for illicit acts such as drug trafficking and corruption of civil servants,” Cochez said. “No one knows how much money they have managed to place in Panama, but they are known to have turned Panama into an important player in an extensive laundering network.”

According to investigations by the United States Department of the Treasury, Lopez was responsible for opening accounts in the United States and creating ghost companies in Panama, Barbados and Venezuela, among others, in order to send and receive money to and from the Venezuelan Vice President.